Baylor, USC Rise into Women’s AP Poll Top 10
Baylor University and the University of Southern California (USC) made significant strides in the latest Associated Press (AP) women’s basketball poll. Following impressive performances in their opening week, both teams entered the top 10.
Baylor’s Arrival in the Top 10
Baylor surged into the rankings after defeating then-No. 7 Duke in Paris. This win allowed them to jump nine spots and claim the seventh position in the AP poll. The Bears replaced Duke, which has now dropped to the 15th position after their defeat.
USC’s Close Victory
USC followed suit by edging out then-No. 9 NC State by just one point. This tight victory propelled USC up ten spots to reach the eighth position overall. Despite missing star player JuJu Watkins for the entire season due to an ACL injury, the Trojans showcased their potential with new talent.
Key Rankings
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn | 2-0 | 798 |
| 2 | South Carolina | 2-0 | 761 |
| 3 | UCLA | 2-0 | 732 |
| 4 | Texas | 2-0 | 708 |
| 5 | LSU | 3-0 | 672 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 1-0 | 614 |
| 7 | Baylor | 2-0 | 509 |
| 8 | USC | 2-0 | 500 |
| 9 | Maryland | 3-0 | 498 |
| 10 | NC State | 1-1 | 479 |
Upcoming Highlights
The upcoming schedule features a highly anticipated matchup between No. 2 South Carolina and No. 9 USC. This game will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and promises to be a thrilling contest.
Additionally, No. 17 TCU will face No. 10 NC State, a game crucial for both teams as they navigate their early-season challenges.
Noteworthy Achievements
The AP women’s basketball poll, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, started with its first rankings in November 1976. Initially a coaches’ poll, it transitioned to a media-voted poll in 1994-95. As competition heats up, this season promises to deliver exciting matchups and standout performances.
